Philippines to open FIFA U15 World Cup campaign against Morocco
The 14-player squad will compete in an eight-a-side format, with five Group F fixtures scheduled in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The Philippine men’s under-15 football team will begin its inaugural FIFA U15 World Cup & Festival campaign against Morocco at the Hovsan Competition Complex in Baku, Azerbaijan. The opener is the first of five matches for the Philippines in Group F.
Head coach Roxy Dorlas, a former national player who has also coached the Philippine men’s under-16 side, leads a 14-player squad assembled for FIFA’s eight-a-side format. Philippine Football Federation president John Anthony Gutierrez said the selection brings together players from domestic clubs, schools and regional associations, as well as Filipinos based overseas.
The squad includes goalkeepers Jordan Tan of Makati FC and Keanefred Cristiane Versales of De La Salle-Zobel. Overseas-based players include midfielder Micah Alva from Philadelphia, LA Galaxy Academy midfielder Quito Alexander Pascual and Barcelona-based forward Satriani Alcantara. Assistant coaches Tetsuya Tsuchida and Joseph Jino Villarino support Dorlas.
After Morocco, the Philippines will play Liberia on October 25 at 6:30 p.m. Two fixtures follow on October 26: Costa Rica at 12:45 a.m. and Belize at 6:30 p.m. The team’s final group match is against Curacao on October 27 at 12:45 p.m.
